13th Dec
Although my bombers shut down the airfield at Moresby, it came at a cost. P-38s took out several Zeroes and Betties without losing any themselves. I should get my first group of Oscars in a week or two, which will relieve the much overworked Zero squadrons somewhat.
CCIP's mass of ships have pulled in at Cairns for some reason. I had expected them to make a dash across the Coral sea and attack Milne again. I have given orders for the majority of my combat ships at Rabaul to move to a point in the Bismark sea with the intention of being spotted by one of the submarines he has there. I want to see whether a large movement like this will force him to act. I've also taken the slightly (very, in fact) risky plan of sticking all by Betties on long range naval strike. If I can catch his ships at Cairns CCIP will not be able to put up a full CAP, as he is in a base hex. I think his flak might also be reduced due to the same rule but I can't be sure. It's a big gamble, and one that I expect to bite me badly, but if we can hit a couple of is capital ships it might just be worth it.
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